Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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658. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether it will be necessary to reduce class sizes in order to facilitate the distancing required for a return to school; the estimated number of additional teaching staff required to facilitate distancing; and the estimated increased cost for same. [15732/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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On Wednesday 1 July 2020, I welcomed the publication of interim public health advice for the safe re-opening of schools in late August/ September. This interim health advice sets out the key public health requirements that will be required for a safe full reopening of schools and the measures that will be required to achieve this.  

Receipt of public health advice will underpin ongoing engagements with education partners and stakeholders in terms of planning and providing guidance for schools in relation to logistical, curricular and wellbeing arrangements. The public health advice outlines the requirements for physical distancing measures in a school setting and how this should be implemented.  The advice also contains important measures required for infection prevention and control to ensure a full return to school is safe for children and staff. 

My Department’s ongoing work with education partners and other key stakeholders on guidance for re-opening schools is aimed at reducing the burden on schools at a local level by providing central guidance and supports to the greatest extent possible by the end of July in order to allow time for schools to implement the necessary arrangements locally.